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An Exercise In Nonsense

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

This movie was very touching, bringing up past memories from the viewer with an innocent and heartfelt storyline. The ten year old Willard Young, played by Elijah Wood, similar to his role as Frodo Baggins of Lord of the Rings becomes the protagonist of the movie. His unconditional love and affection to the surrounding cast leave a trail of transformational outcomes beyond rigidity and indifference to life. At the same time the viewer has the opportunity to relive their childhood experiences and reflect on what is valuable. Each of the characters learn to confront their biggest fears: loss,feeling of being unloved, inadequacy, and brokenness.

The bittersweet 1987 French drama 'Le Grand Chemin' has been reworked into a vehicle for Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith, taking the same story and turning it into a big screen pacifier for undiscriminating moviegoers (with an aversion to sub-titles). The original version was drawn from director Jean-Loup Hubert's childhood memories of the summer he spent with an estranged, small town couple, learning about life while they come to terms with the death of their own son. The watered-down American model is based on nothing except the overwhelming desire to make a sugar-coated box office hit, presenting the young boy as a cuddly matchmaker for his surrogate parents. Writer director Mary Agnes Donoghue does her best to make the experience as painless as possible, but in the process smooths out all the rough edges of the story. The film, as a result, should have been easy to dislike, but it really doesn't provoke any strong emotions, pro or con: it's too bland, too generic, and (thankfully, for the filmmakers) too harmless.

This is a very sweet movie I have watched 3 times since renting it, and would have watched it more if I didn't have to take it back. I would love to own this movie so I could watch it at least once a week! Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson are wonderful as a married couple in a lot of pain, but still very much in love. Elijah Wood is excellent in his role. Both Melanie and Don do a wonderful job. Don Johnson is so gifted as an actor who can show so much emotion without ever uttering one word, it never ceases to amaze me. I highly recommend this movie to anyone.

Don Johnson, Melanie Griffith, Elijah Wood, Thora Birch, and Sheila McCarthy star in this beautiful movie on how love can come through the most horrible of situations. Ben and Lily Reed (Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith) are a couple that have lost the spark in their marriage since their young son died. When a friend of Lily's asks that they watch him over the summer Lily agrees. Willard (Elijah Wood) is the loving child who starts to forge friendships with both Ben and Lily. This movie is truly wonderful. Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith give outstanding performances in this funny, touching, and wonderful film.